Warning! The anathema is here.

The doctrine that poisoned the souls of many, that wrought blood against blood, life against life. Aspasia has not been the same, nor will it ever be. As history fades into legend, and legend into myth, so too are the whispers of peace that had once brought each of the races together in harmony. As such a time faded into history, so does the chaos grow - the resentment that breeds loathing - that brings about war.

With the world pitted against each other, each race, equines, canines, and felines taking sides, the question is, which side will you choose?

Reserved First step

Red eyes gazed at the location with doubt once more, it was all she really could feel since she was still unfamiliar with the lands. Sighing Epoh shook her head and made her way forward. There was supposed to be a cave here right? One that looked like a dragon was breathing. For a moment she wondered if that old man had ever seen a dragon in her life, and especially doubted it when she did finally spot what he had meant. No dragon she had ever known spouted smoke like that, but she knew different dragons did different things. Scanning the area for any danger she went to her goal, the cave itself.

Pausing in the entrance, she let her eyes adjust before going any deeper. She was looking for gold? Or a stone that resembled gold. Though gems were a bit rare in her home, gold was a common sight, so she at least knew what to look for when it came to that. It was dark though, so it may take a while so spot her prize. As she ventured in the cave she was reminded of home, and how she had lived in a cave for a time when she was a child. It had been a good home, and sometimes on her days off, she would venture back to be alone. She realized she missed it and sighed. Perhaps one day she would find her way back, and not feel as lost about what she should do with herself.

As she was deep in thought, she nearly missed the fools gold, but if she was anything it was observant. Bending down, she plucked up the stone and turned it over in her hand, wondering how it was supposed to give her the next clue to find the egg.

As the woman held the piece of fools gold in her hand, it was as if some ancient magic was triggered and the ground began to shake accompanied by a low rumbling. Slowly, a crevice opened in the wall, showing what looked like a shelf made of rough stone. Inside was a key, dark as night with roaring dragon's head on the handle. Attached to the key was a note of scrawling script, appearing to be written by one of many years with a shaking hand.

The treasure, the treasure you seek, is deeper within this mountain, but beware! At the fork lies a trap, a sense of danger. Choose the wrong way and despair! Choose the right way, and you will be rewarded in full.

A key was revealed to Epoh with instructions for the next step. It is your job to write her finding the fork in the road and choosing the route she takes next (whether she chooses the dangerous path is up to you, and you may choose for there to be a challenge or a riddle to find the right way if you so desire). There may be danger along the way, but never fear! She will find the egg soon!

Blinking, Epoh stood as the shelf showed itself and looked to the key in curiosity. Rubbing the dragon-like handle she felt a pang of sadness. Taking a breath she read the note and then looked for a way deeper inside. A part of her wished she had a torch or light source, but she could work without it of course. Holding the key as she walked she kept an eye out for the fork and perhaps a clue as to which way would be the safe path. As she journeyed she wondered how an egg could get lost in such a deep and dark place in the world. Huffing she supposed it was the same as her adoptive father losing a gem once, which had wound up in some cave as well.

"Magic" she mumbled to herself as she reached the fork. One path looked wide, while one looked more narrow. She examined them and even sniffed the air, then remembered her senses had changed. Looking around she did find a faded riddle and squinted to read it. 'Only the foolish take the wide path, while those brave take the narrow' she smiled gently, an easy riddle then, oh well it had likely been put there a long time ago. Shrugging to herself, she made her way down the narrow path and wondered where the key may go to.

As the woman traveled down the narrow passageway torches, fueled by an unknown source, began lining the wall intermittently. While it was still dim, the path was clear and did not veer off course. After quite a ways, the passageway opened to a larger room. In the back hidden by shadows was a large golden gate. The section was fenced off, but inside was a golden chest, again with an ornate dragon's head on the top. If Epoh decides to move closer, she will find the gate is guarded by two very large rats. One has a key made from bone around it's neck. These rats seem rather agitated, territorial and aggressive. However, the key around it's neck looks like it might open the gate, so perhaps it would be wise to get it from the rat.

Epoh has chosen the correct passageway! However, it appears that the chest has been blocked off by a golden gate, and two rats are guarding it's contents. The rats are aggressive and will attack if Epoh gets to close, but it's up to her to find a way to remove the key from around the rat's neck, get inside the gate, and open the chest to reveal the contents. Good luck!

Looking at the rats, she blinked and looked around. There wasn't room to draw and swing her sword. Searching her pockets she found some food she often ate while traveling and offered it towards the smaller creatures. Honestly, Epoh would prefer this to killing the animals, they had done no wrong and were simply here to serve a purpose. Watching the creatures carefully she went for the key as they ate the offered food. One bit her, but she simply still took her prize, then got the rat off with some light shaking of her hand.

Lots of angry squeaking joined the sound of her unlocking and opening the gate. Walking to the chest she hesitated and examined the area the chest rested in. It felt too easy, surely the item she sought was not resting in this chest? Ignoring the chest at first she moved around it, looking over the walls of the small cave she was inside and then stood in front of the chest. It was a fancy thing and she was once again reminded of home. Sighing she went to unlock the chest, her senses on guard in case there was some sort of trap that would activate.

As the chest opened, a beautiful gold and pastel pink egg inside was revealed. The egg was larger and heavier than normal as if it was made of some sort of stone... or perhaps even real gold... and it let off a faint glow in the dim light. However, Epoh does not have much time to speculate on the beauty of the egg as a low rumble begins filling the cavern. The rats that are there flee to their dens, and as the rumble grows to trembling and shaking small bits of rock and scree begin falling from the ceiling. Over time the rocks begin getting larger and large, it appears she must have hit a trap. She had better hurry out before the cave collapses in on her, leaving her trapped, or worse.

Epoh has found the egg! However, opening the chest has triggered a trap, and the cave is starting to crumble in. Epoh had best get out quickly before anything bad happens. Please include one more post to this thread with her escaping the cave, and then you may post back in the Cheery Crusader with her returning from her quest. Once this has been done, she will receive her reward.

Cursing she grabbed the item, not wasting time to inspect it as she ran back the way she had come. The path made it hard to dodge, so she got hit a few times, but didn't really worry too much about it. Epoh was tough and could find a healer if she got injured too badly, but right now was not the time to worry about it. Running as fast as she could she huffed as she saw the exit and was soon outside in open air. Halting to catch her breath she looked over herself and noted that she had a few new cuts on top of the rat bite, but nothing that would kill her.

All that for an egg. Lifting it she looked it over with a small frown "Better be worth it" she grumbled and then moved away from the area. It would take her time to return to the old man, but that was not a major worry for her. Knowing she would at least get the rainbow rock she had liked was perhaps worth it enough, but she would definitely have to find a healer for her hand...were there healers in these lands? She supposed she could ask the old man when she reached that destination.